Using flash USB 3.0 for back end database or solving VPN issue

[jellis4]

I am running a split access 2010 database with 9 front end users and, until recently, the backend placed on a shared network folder which resided on my laptop. All front end users had my shared folder mapped as a network drive and were linked from there. Everything was working just peachy. Now our corporate office has decided to cancel the dedicated network we had and is forcing us to use Compass ERA VPN to connect to all resources like email, PRMS etc. Database will no longer work.... all traffic is forced through new jersey before it comes back to our office. I can't seem to find a way to make local network traffic (ie to my shared folder) not go through the vpn. From the research I've done it is something called split tunneling which may be a no no because of security issues. by the way, there is no option to "use default gateway on remote network"... it doesn't show up? So that is my first issue and if I can resolve that... it would be the best option.



My fallback solution was to purchase a router with a USB 3.0 connection and try to use that to host my backend. I purchased a netgear nighthawk router and used a 3.0 usb flash drive to put my back end and a bunch of other shared windows files on there and I thought I was golden. The router accesses the usb drive without going through the VPN and the database performed at reasonable speeds but then I tried to have multiple users connect at the same time and at that point it failed. I can only have one user connected at one time. The lock file is created but doesn't seem to work correctly. Any ideas on either of these solutions? first time post, so let me know if you need me to post any more info to figure out a solution. Thanks

[rpeare]

I have no experience with this sort of problem (up front disclaimer). Have you talked to the corporate goons to find out if they would allow what you're trying to do? If it's as simple as asking them 'how' once you explain your situation that may be far easier than trying to find a way without them. Other than that have you tried using 'remote desktop connection' to see if you can work around it that way. The delay may be minimial locally but you would need a dedicated PC that others could remote desktop into, and I have not experimented with more than 1 or 2 concurrent remote desktop users to a specific PC.

[jellis4]

I asked the IT guy that came to help switch over our network to get me a contact person that can help with this. The problem is that we are dealing with a huge company that may not be very flexible especially when it could compromise security. I hope they have a solution that will allow the split tunneling. that would be the easiest. I have not tried the remote desktop option and have never been on the using end of that... but if I can't get another solution to work I may look into that. thanks for posting.